Effects of Mulching on Plant Growth and Yield of Summer Maize under Sprinkler Irrigation

75%,65% and 55% of irrigation controlling lower limit were set up during the growing period of summer maize,effects of plastic film mulching and different quantity of straw mulching on growth,yield,water consumption and water use efficiency(WUE) of maize under sprinkler irrigation were studied.The results showed that plastic film mulching could significantly promote the growth of plants,and had the similar effects of yield increasing compared with the high quantity of straw mulching(more than 7 500 kg/ha).The yield increasing rate of plastic film mulching and straw mulching increased with the decrease of soil moisture.The water consumption of summer maize was the smallest in plastic film mulching treatment and the largest in non-mulching treatment.Water consumption of summer maize in the straw mulching treatment had a reduced tendency with the increase of straw cover quantity.The higher soil moisture was the more water-saving of mulching.Water use efficiency(WUE) of plastic film mulching was the highest,and increased by more than 50% compared with non mulching treatment.WUE of straw mulching treatment increased with straw mulching quantity.When straw mulching quantity reached 7 500 kg/ha,the WUE increased a little.